Last Saturday I attended my first Blogger’s Meetup which was held in Washington, DC and sponsored by the BLMGirls DMV Chapter. BLMGirls.comaka “Bloggers Like Me is an online community of women bloggers created by Leslie Young dedicated to the positive exchange of ideas, tips and advice about fashion, beauty, relationships, faith and everything in between. Through blogging, meetups and social networking we encourage each other and focus on REALationship building!”

The Experience was also simultaneously being held by the Chapters in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. When I initially registered for the event I didn’t realize it was during the Labor Day weekend and I almost changed my mind as I did not want to be stuck in Holiday traffic. Thankfully, the trip to DC was delayed only by a few minor back ups about a half an hour from the venue. At 2:30 pm, I arrived at the 201Bar, after finding a free-to-park lot across the street on Massachusetts Ave NE (I love FREE). Upon entering this modernly decorated tavern I was immediately greeted by our hostesses Whitney James and Karen Curtis.

Each table setting held a pink Welcome Folder that contained worksheets including a “Getting to Know You” form and on a separate table there were Swag Bags. I was the first to arrive but shortly afterwards more lovely ladies began to enter, including my Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sister who had traveled up from North Carolina.

As more ladies arrived it quickly became a festive atmosphere enhanced only by the mingling which intensified as we got down to the business of completing the “Getting to Know You” form. As we mixed and mingled the waitstaff began to bring out trays containing the most scrumptious Hors d’eouvres; an assortment of Egg Rolls, Mini Crab Cakes, Jerk Shrimp, Skewered Beef, and Flat Bread Pizza. We were also given 1 drink ticket for which I used mine for a glass of the house Red Wine – you know me!

The theme of the BLMGirls Experience was Building and Growing your Brand by building REALationships. Our guest speaker, Arsha Jones of BrandBuildSell provided a lively and very informational presentation on Branding Your Blog. Throughout the presentation she allowed ample time for sharing as well as questions and answers from the group. We took a short break to dine on Seasoned Chicken Wings, Rolls, Sliced Turkey and Mini Dessert Bars.

At the conclusion of Arsha’s presentation, Whitney’s husband, the designated photographer took a few group photos outside and The Experienceended just as it had started – Perfectly. Our “Swag Bag” contained a #BLMGirls TShirt and a sample of “Capital City Mumbo Sauce“, a product made and marketed by Arsha and her husband.

It definitely was a wonderful Experience and I’m glad to have met some amazing Bloggers Like Me and to finally see the faces behind the blogs. Driving home was smooth sailing and I look forward to the next BLMGirls DMV Experience.